Understanding Period Styles: Furniture style refers to the design. Styles are identified by the historic era in which they were made, often named for the king or queen of that time, or for the designer or originator of the style. Styles develop gradually, simple to elaborate. Some styles have become classics. TRADITIONAL styles that have been copied. Reproductions- accurate copies Antique- 100 years or older.
Colonial Period (1600-1780) Furniture styles were adapted due to materials and tools available, making furniture made in America simpler than European styles of the same period.
Jacobean- 1600 s
JACOBEAN 1600 s Named after the reigning king of England, JAMES I. Characteristics : Heavy and rectangular, Geometric or floral carvings, Stools and benches used often, Maple, beech, ash and hickory woods chair table used, trundle beds. Straight back chairs and no fabric used. The cupboards were considered a luxury
William and Mary (1700-1725) Named by the next reigning royal couple of England. Characteristics: Lighter scale More carvings reflecting the growing prosperity of the people Curved back chairs with oriental design Gate leg table High boy- replaced the cupboard as the fanciest piece of furniture in the house Upholstered chairs of velvet and silk
Queen Anne ( 1720-1755) Known for graceful curves Cabriole leg- curves out at the middle, then tapers inward Japanning- glossy back lacquer applied to furniture Wing back chair-arm chair with high back and sides Windsor chair-still popular today, spindle back
Chippendale (1780-1840) Thomas Chippendale was an English cabinet maker Influenced by French, Chinese and Queen Anne Distinctive details- ball and claw feet Mahogany wood used often
Post Colonial Period (1780-1840) Styles were influenced by the revolutionary war. Federal Style: Greek and roman influence, balance lines Light, delicate Straight lines Small, rectangular George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton famous furniture makers Reeding- decorative carvings resembling vertical reeds of grass.
Side board with inlaid wood
George Hepplewhite Chairs
Empire Style ( 1820-1840) Name comes from Napoleon I More elaborate and dramatic In America: Duncan Phyfe was the leading designer of the style. Characteristics: leaves, swan, eagle, dogs paw and lion s feet, dolphins.
Shaker Furniture Time period- late 1700 s to present Created by the religious group known as the Shakers Not influenced by any other group, not like anything during its time period Later, the Shakers were the first to mass produce furniture. Became very popular 1980-present time.
Characteristics: Plain/simple design Spare design with straight lines understated beauty that reflects the modest values of the Shaker community. Focus is function rather than ornamentation Excellent craftsmanship
Victorian Period 1840-1900 This era was the revival era of many past periods. Ideas came from Gothic, French Rocco, Louis XVII, and Italian Renaissance Industrial Revolution led to more elaborate designs Characteristics: curving lines, floral patterns, ornate designs, heavy, dark woods, lacy carved woods
Design Reform Late 1800 s- Early 1900 s Existed toward the end of the Victorian era Designers were reforming, reacting against the elaborate ornamentation Simple Handcrafted William Morris- most famous reformer paid close attention to basic line, structure and proportion
Modern Style- 1950 s Modern Period 1901-present Chrome, steel, plastics and naugahyde used. Rounded corners. 1950 Soda Shops
International 1900 s to present International style- form should follow function Plain, functional furniture Completely non-traditional Chrome, steel, glass, and plastics used to create furniture
Contemporary Designs:
1. What are two ways furniture styles are identified? 2. What four factors influence changes in furniture designs? 3. What is meant by transitional furniture? 4. Contrast formal with informal furniture styles. 5. How old does a piece of furniture need to be to be classified as an antique?